Hawaiian Electric to use drones to inspect infrastucture in areas at risk of wildfires

Hawaiian Electric is using unmanned aircraft, or drones, for aerial inspections of its electrical infrastructure in identified wildfire risk areas on Hawai‘i Island as part of its ongoing wildfire safety strategy.

Those inspections begin this month.

“The drones play a critical role in the inspection process and the technology enables Hawaiian Electric to more quickly identify issues to prevent or lessen the risk of wildfires,” according to a news release from the power company.

On Hawai‘i Island, Hawaiian Electric has contracted with Cyberhawk to conduct drone inspections alongside the company’s own staff. Inspections typically will be conducted on weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., subject to weather conditions.

Personnel will drive Hawaiian Electric or Hawaiian Electric Contractor-marked vehicles. If on foot, the drone operator will wear a Cyberhawk company-branded hard hat and vest.

All personnel will carry a Hawaiian Electric employee or contractor identification badge.

Inspections will begin in mid-October and continue through December 2026 in some areas of Downtown Hilo, North Hilo, Lower Puna, North Kona, North Kohala, and Saddle Road. The inspections are performed at the poles and power lines, and no one will request to enter a home or business.

There may be instances where the operator must enter private property, like a yard, to access a utility pole.

In these instances, the operator will make their presence known before accessing equipment located on private property. Electric service will not be impacted.

Call Hawaiian Electric at 855-304-9191 or Cyberhawk at 407-883-7555 for questions about this work.